Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-04-07

crate veterans and other citizens.
The association of the Army of the
Tennessee was formed soon after the war to
keep alive the memories of their struggle and
to provide for helpless comrades. During
the yellow fever epidemic of 1878 so many
veterans died that it was decided to erect
tomb in which all members should be buried
until their friends should remove their re-
mains. A sufficient sum was soon raised and
a handsome vault was constructed. 1t was
then decided to crown the structure with
statue of Jefferson Davis and Mrs. Dorsey,
who afterward bequeathed Beauvoir to the
Confederate chieftain, agreed to bear the
expenses When the purpose of the assoeia-
ton was made known to Mr.. Davis, how
ever, he refused to sit, and later advised
that an equestrian statue of Gen. Johnston be
substituted. This suggestion was wildly ap-
plauded and the association then and there
pledged itself to Mr. Davis recommendation
Alexander Doyle, the artist, agreed to fur
nish suitable monument for $4,000 This
sum was speedily raised by subscription and
other means, and Wednesdays ceremony
was the result
AT noon the military and civic organiza
tons began to form at Lafayette square
Conspicuous in the ranks was large delega-
ton of members Of Joseph A. Mower post,
g. A. R., who had come out to assist the
veteran Confederates.
Little Rose Robinson, great grand-daugh-
ter of Gen. Johnston, Unveiled the statue
while the veterans of the Washington artil-
lery, who served battery of guns at Shiloh,
fired a salute of thirty Weight guns. Senator
Randall L. Gibson was the orator of the day.
He revie wed the character of Gen Johnston
and paid high,'tribute to his military genius
A poem by Mrs. Kate Sherwood, of Toledo
Ohio, followed, and the ceremonies were
closed with benediction by Comr ade Rt
Rev. J. N. Galleher, bishop of Louisiana.
The ceremonies were interspersed throughout
with music. Among popular airs were
Dixie" and Bonnie Blue Flag
Among the distinguished persons present
WERE Hon Jefferson Davis and wife, Miss
Varina Davis Mrs. A. S. Johnston widow
of Gen. johnston, Col William Preston
Johnston This SOM, and alarge number OF his
descendants
During the ceremonies Mr.. Davis was called
Tor and finally was prevailed upon to speak.
He said he knew Johnston better than he
| ever knew any other man as boy, collegian,
and soldier He was as good as great, and
great as humanity could command Con-
tiuuing the speaker said; True to his charac-
| teristics, he saw the efforts of few states to
deprive the minority of all they held as their
sacred rights, and came through trackless
desert to offer his sword to the minority,
which were struggling for their rights" This
was the only political ailusion made
The battle Of shiloh, said the speaker, wa.
the only one in history fought out just as in
tended. Gen. Johnston had sent him plan
of the battle and be knew it was executed tc
the letter. After paying a tribute to the
military genius of Johnston, the speaker at,
| tempted to close, but the crowd yelled: sc
on; you can't detain us; We will stay here all
night Mr.. Davis spoke a few minutes
longer, saying in conclusion: LET the new
south turn back to the virtue of the OLD
south and see in the monument something
upon which their sons would build theil
character"
The day was a public holiday and tn,
whole city almost turned out en- masse tc
| witness the ceremonies.